'India wants no confrontation with China'

NEW DELHI: Recent reports of Chinese incursions and Beijing's claims over chunks of Indian territory notwithstanding, Defence Minister A K Antony on Tuesday said India will follow a non-confrontationist approach towards its neighbours.
    
"We (India) are not ignoring (these incidents). To a maximum extent, we will try to avoid confrontation," Antony told reporters here after inaugurating a conference of top commanders of the Integrated Defence Staff drawn from the three wings of the armed forces.
    
Over 150 incursions into Indian territory by China's Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) troops have been reported in the last one year, apart from claims over Indian territory, including the recent controversy over Finger Area in north Sikkim, which was assumed settled till now.
    
During the recent visit of External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee to Beijing, the Chinese reportedly tried to corner India by raising the Finger Area issue.
    
"We are in the process of finding solutions to the long standing disputes with China, and the process is continuing," Antony said replying to a query.
    
Stating that the UPA government will not compromise on national interest and security, the minister, who recently visited defence personnel in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim along the border with China, said the armed forces were ready to meet any challenge.